WRITTEN QUESTION P-1014/02 by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission. Competition policy in the energy market.
Date: 2002-04-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: competition law, energy policy, liberalisation of the market, single market

C 277 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

(2002/C 277 E/145)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1014/02

by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission

(5 April 2002)

Subject: Competition policy in the energy market

The Commission had a very successful experience using its anti-monopoly powers in the case of telecoms
liberalisation. Does the Commission intend to build on this positive experience and use its power in the
field of energy liberalisation? If the EU is to ensure that the Lisbon economic reform targets are met, it will
be vital that European energy markets are fully liberalised and that likewise, the Commission is prepared to
flex its anti-monopoly muscles in the event that the aspirations outlined at the Barcelona summit are not
fulfilled within the foreseen timeframe.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 2002)

that

The Commission believes
the adoption by the Council and the Parliament and a proper
implementation by Member States of the Commission’s legislative proposals of March 2001 remain the
best and most appropriate solution to complete the opening of the Community energy markets. The vote
of the Parliament some days before the European Council of Barcelona (15 and 16 March 2002) as well as
the Conclusions of the latter have given an important impetus towards the achievement of this objective.

At the same time, the Commission will continue to make use of the Community competition rules to
actively promote and maintain a competitive market structure. Indeed, barriers removed by regulatory
measures should not be replaced by contractual arrangements or practices, nor by mergers or state-aid
preventing the creation of common electricity and gas markets.

(2002/C 277 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1015/02

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 April 2002)

Subject: Article in the Financial Times of 27 March 2002 on planned Commission crackdown on mobile

phone operators’ call termination charges

Is the Commission aware of the article of 27 March 2002 in the Financial Times stating that the
Commission may be planning to crack down on mobile phone operators’ call termination charges, and is
the Commission indeed planning to do this?

Is it true, as claimed in the article, that this action will apply not only to call termination but also to
international roaming?

When will the Commission inform the European Parliament of the action planned in this field?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 2002)

The Commission has noted the article in the Financial Times of 27 March 2002 concerning call
termination charges on mobile networks.

As required under Directive 2002/21/EC of the Parliament and of the Council on a common regulatory
framework for electronic communication networks and services (the ‘Framework Directive’ (1)),
the
Commission is preparing a Recommendation on relevant product and service markets within the
electronic communications sector susceptible to ex ante regulation.